Looking for a good deal

NAMPA -- Bad sub-prime mortgages, banks tightening up lending requirements -- that's all we've been hearing about over the last few weeks.

While there are homes for sale in nearly every neighborhood here in the Treasure Valley -- for many there's no money to buy them. Despite that, some buyers are still looking.

There are a lot of foreclosures in Canyon County. All across neighborhoods you see signs advertising homes for a very cheap price.

A school bus filled with potential buyers made its rounds Saturday through neighborhoods in Nampa.  Those home buyers are looking for a good deal.

"I am looking at the possibility of a little bit of land with a house like half an acre to an acre, see if we saw anything like that," said Dora Salomon.

The homes this bus stopped at have all been repossessed.  It's not a new idea, but as the economy continues to fall, the number of available homes increases.

"I sold a house like those two years ago, today it's 188," said Rudy Rodriguez, Team Reality.

Rudy Rodriguez has seen the market change firsthand.  He says currently there are 200 homes in Canyon County that are approved for sale, and 1,000 others on the short-sale list.

On the tour was an insurance agent and a home inspector checking to make sure those who had to leave against their will didn't do costly damage.

With the times as they are now, it's not easy for many to get credit to buy. 

"It all depends on their credit history," said loan officer J.R. Kelley, 1st Mortgage Company.

But Kelley says for those with a good credit history - the money is available.

"It's slowing down because people are scared, as far as qualifications they are still easily obtainable," said Kelley.

Rodriguez says it's a buyer's market, but what he's seeing now is a different type of buyer.

"We see people who want a good deal, they are smart buyers, better buyers, they know what they are looking for," said Rodriguez.